As we head toward the 2008 Presidential Election, there are a lot of issues that will be important to voters. An issue that will be important to you is a candidate's position on videogames.
That's why the Entertainment Software Association has launched the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN), a website dedicated to making it easy for game-playing voters to contact the candidates about games. The site offers news about games and how they relate to politics as well as opportunities to take action.
By signing up and entering your information, the VGVN will send a form letter to the Presidential candidates that stresses education about videogames instead of legislation.
Here is an excerpt from that letter:
"I am writing to make you aware of an issue that is quite important to me and millions of Americans - the right to free speech. In recent years, we have seen representatives at all levels of government attempt to restrict this right by passing laws that regulate the sale and rental of video games. As an American, a voter, and an avid video game player, I want to ensure my rights are protected."
If you want to get involved, head over to the Video Game Voters Network.
Comment(s)
Its great that they are trying to make sensible video game law and education an issue, but it is not something that should be an issue in national politics, especially the Presidential election. We have far more important things to worry about in this election, like a failing economy, ridiculous gas prices and that unjust war the last moron to call himself President got us involved in. If they want to really make a difference in the perception of video games in the US, it needs to be done at the state level, where most of the unconstitutional attempts at regulating video games are occurring.
I do not like the proposed federal law because it will chill free speech by creating the risk of fines - even a retailer who tries in good faith to enforce age requirements occassionaly makes mistakes, is tricked by a fake ID, or hires a bad employee who doesn't take the rules seriously.
Two things are likely to result: (i) the (already high) cost of games will go up as retailers are forced to internalize the costs of compliance with the new law, including legal fees for defending against suits alleging non-compliance, the costs of monitoring employees to make sure they follow the law, and the occasional fine; and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, (ii) some retailers will stop carrying M rated games to avoid dealing with the Feds, which will create a disincentive for game studios to create them. That means less M rated games on the market for adults who want them.
You raise an interesting argument, but I don't think the markets for alchohol/tobacco and video games are comparable. I am pretty sure that alcohol and tobacco (which addict at least some of their users) make much more money per year than video games, making them a reliable cash cow worth the extra effort for retailers. And note, these heavily regulated items cost much more than their actual costs of production - the retailers pass the costs of legal compliance, so called sin-taxes, etc. on to their customers.